How Solar Energy Systems Can Work with Home Performance

Posted by Jonathan Cohen on October 30, 2013

Imagine Energy works with the Clean Energy Works Oregon program to offer homeowners home performance assessments.

Before they even think about adding solar, customers need to understand that there’s more to energy efficiency than using renewable energy resources. It's important to explain to your customers who are interested in solar that their homes are the most energy efficient when they have a tight building envelope. Keep in mind, however, that a lot of customers who know about solar won’t know what that means, so you have to use plain language. Here are a few ways to do that:

Explain the concept of a tight building envelope. Share the fact that when a home has a tight envelope, it stays warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer because comfortable air inside doesn’t escape as easily. Tell your clients about areas of a home that experience energy losses, such as windows, vents, doors, old HVAC systems, recessed lights, and poorly insulated areas.

Introduce the idea of a home energy audit. When a homeowner learns that his home may cause him to experience energy losses and higher utility bills, he’ll naturally want to learn about the ways to improve his home performance. Explain that a home energy audit can provide him with this information, and outline what the audit involves, including:

Thermal scans to see where energy escapes

A blower door test to see where air escapes through the building envelope

A duct blaster test to find leaks in the HVAC ductwork

Ventilation tests and inspecting various areas of the home for energy leaks and inefficiencies

Questions about the homeowner’s energy use, utility bills, thermostat settings, heating and cooling habits, as well as questions about the comfort levels of each room

Share information about the energy retrofit process and itsbenefits. Explain that an energy retrofit changes the way a home uses energy while creating a healthier and more comfortable environment by:

Adding insulation

Sealing air leaks

Installing an energy-efficient HVAC system

Controlling ventilation.

Managing moisture

Upgrading windows

Using renewable power when appropriate

Discussing Solar Power

Where I practice energy consulting in Oregon, residents have a lot of questions about solar power. When you talk about an energy efficient home and “going solar,” Portland residents often get a confused look on their faces. What many homeowners don’t know is that Oregon gets even better sun coverage than Germany—the top solar consumers in the world. As you provide energy consulting and auditing services, you can also talk to your clients about how solar energy can help complement home performance efforts. Here are some ideas about addressing these concerns:

Isn’t it too cloudy? No. The world leader for solar installations is Germany. The darkest place in Oregon, Astoria, receives more sun than the sunniest place in Germany.

How much space do solar panels need? Each kilowatt of power requires about 100-square-feet of surface area. The average home needs about 300 to 600 square feet of space.

How much will I save going solar? Portland residents find that solar systems pay for themselves in about 4 years in the form of lower energy bills. Of course, this varies by geographic location.

How else does solar energy help? Using solar power helps the nation reduce its dependence on foreign sources of energy, like oil. Solar power is also a clean form of energy that doesn’t release pollutants, unlike traditional forms of energy. Plus, installing a solar system may increase the value of your home by up to $5.50 per watt.

What types of solar energy are available? Photovoltaic systems are solar panels that use semiconductors to convert the sun’s rays into electricity. The panels generally connect to your utility meter. On the other hand, solar thermal systems use the sun’s energy to heat water or the air in a home. A thermal system doesn’t generate electricity, so it doesn’t need to be connected to your utility meter.

Can I install a solar system on my home? During a home energy audit, a solar energy expert will inspect your home and property. They’ll measure the tree coverage over your home and make sure that your roof is the right type, in good shape, and is less than 15 years old.

A solar system can be a great addition to an energy efficient retrofit and can offer a home decades of clean energy. The bottom line is that when a client improves his home’s performance, he can easily shave 30% or more off his utility bills.

Jonathan Cohen is the chief engineer for Imagine Energy, LLC in Portland, Oregon. He founded the company in 2003 and has established a new market for energy consulting and contracting in the residential and small commercial sector.

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